NY Mets: 3 players we can “thank” Brodie Van Wagenen for in 2021

Brodie Van Wagenen is an inkblot on the history of the New York Mets. The club’s general manager in an up-and-down 2019 season and again in a much more disappointing 2020 campaign, the number of fans who defend him is quite low.

Van Wagenen, if nothing else, was consistent. His aim was to improve the Mets immediately while completely ignoring their future. It’s almost as if he knew he wouldn’t stick around for long.

Although best remembered for the moves that didn’t work out in his team’s favor, there are three players we can thank him for in 2021.

Mets prospect Brett Baty is providing a lot of hope for the future

Easily the most talked-about Mets prospect drafted by BVW, third baseman Brett Baty is rising up quickly through the farm system. He had a breakout year in 2021 which isn’t too big of a surprise considering last year was a wash and the 2019 season for him didn’t begin until after he was drafted.

Still, the Mets seem to be banking on Baty becoming a big force in their lineup sooner than later.

I try to never get too excited about prospects. Far too many have fizzled out. One doesn’t need to look much further than their attic and the boxes of baseball cards with the words “Future Stars” on some of the cardboard. Too often, those future stars become regular people. One actually ended up as a substitute at my high school.

Along with Baty, pitching prospect Matt Allan is someone the organization is very high on. However, because he missed all of 2021, I’m only going to tip my cap to Brodie for the addition of Baty to the organization.